Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Tate knocked on the door, his nerves shot.
This was happening. He was really doing this.
Everything his sister had said must have held some merit, because Rylee didn’t seem at all turned off by the idea of going out with him. Maybe he’d been out of the dating pool for too long. Or maybe he simply hadn’t prioritized being social. Because he hadn’t felt at all confident asking Rylee out.
Hadn’t she said she wasn’t interested in anything serious?
Okay, this wasn’t serious. He had to remind himself that it was just a first date. For all he knew, it would be their only date. At least the barn was just about done. He didn’t know what he would do if tonight didn’t turn out well and he’d have to keep coming by to finish what he’d started.
The door opened and all his thoughts went out the window.
Tate stared at Rylee as if they’d never set eyes on each other before.
She wore makeup, even though he’d insisted that she didn’t need it.
But the effect was next level. It was done so well that he could tell she’d been light-handed with the makeup brush.
Her cheekbones were highlighted with a shine that accentuated her bone structure.
Her lips were a light pink shade that drew the eye but wasn’t so out there to take away from her best feature.
Her eyes.
They were framed with long lashes and shimmering eyeshadow that only made her blue eyes pop.
“Wow,” he rasped.
She blushed and the effect only added to how breathtaking she looked. Her pale blue dress hugged her curves and she’d paired it with some white cowboy boots. Those were definitely not suited for farming and he bit back a chuckle.
This side of Rylee was definitely all city-girl.
But there was no denying she had roots in country living.
Tate held out his hand in offering but when she took it, he tugged her toward him.
She gasped as she stumbled forward but he caught her and slipped his free arm around her waist. Then without preamble, he kissed her.
“I’ve missed you,” he murmured against her lips.
Rylee laughed, giving him a playful shove. “You saw me last night.”
“That was too long,” he insisted.
She shook her head, her blush deepening. Boy, he loved that he could affect her this way. It was intoxicating. Perhaps he had a better shot at convincing her to stay than he’d originally thought.
“Shall we?” He gestured toward his truck.
Nodding, Rylee turned around and locked the door, then she slipped her hand into his and together they descended the stairs.
They had a reservation at The Aviary. Then later he planned on taking Rylee out to where they could see the stars. He would wager that she hadn’t seen stars like the ones out in the country. At least not since she was a little girl. And he couldn’t wait to see her reaction.
“Tate?”
“Hmm?”
Rylee wiggled her fingers and let out a quiet laugh. “You okay? Your grip is a little… hard.”
His eyes darted to where he held her hand and he muttered a curse under his breath. “Sorry.”
She giggled again. “It’s okay.” Rylee’s gentle squeeze said it all. She didn’t have to tell him everything was going to work out. The way she looked at him, her eyes, her smile—that was how she reassured him.
Sheesh, he hadn’t been this nervous in a long time. Sure, on the outside he was all confidence and bravado. He had to be for his family and his job. But on the inside? He was just as nervous as the next guy.
And Rylee?
She was so far out of his league. There was no way he would have caught her eye if they hadn’t known each other when they were younger. He couldn’t mess this up. Everything he did from this point forward would have to be perfect.
Tate brought her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.
They pulled into the parking lot of the Overlook Grand Mountain Lodge.
Rylee’s eyes widened as she took it all in.
As far as luxury went in Rocky Ridge, this was at the top of the list. It had been built shortly after Rylee had moved away and based on her reaction, it was safe to say she hadn’t seen it yet.
He hurried around the truck and helped Rylee to her feet but refused to release her hand as they headed for the entrance. They bypassed the reception area as he directed her toward the restaurant that was located in the resort.
The hostess glanced up and smiled brightly at each of them. “Welcome to The Aviary. Do you have a reservation?”
Tate nodded. “For Dennison.”
“Ah, here you are. Table for two? Right this way.” She led them to a table in the corner with some of the best mood lighting.
The bird theme ran throughout the restaurant and at their table, it felt more like they’d entered a rainforest. The sounds of birds came through speakers along with relaxing instrumental music.
If it wasn’t so late, he would have asked for a seat on the veranda so they’d have a view of the birds the lodge kept on the premises.
“This place is something else,” Rylee whispered as soon as the hostess took her leave. “It’s gorgeous.”
Tate could have been happy watching Rylee all day long. She was like a child on Christmas morning. Her eyes darted in every direction, soaking in the rustic décor while the restaurant also paid homage to the avian wildlife.
She was the first to reach for her menu and immediately she gasped and dropped it on the table. “Tate, these prices—”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m not,” she insisted. “But are you sure—”
He chuckled. “This is the nicest restaurant in town. I wanted to make a good impression on you.” This was where it got a little embarrassing.
He turned his focus to the menu in his own hands so he didn’t have to see her reaction.
“I know you’ve had a lot of experiences since leaving Rocky Ridge as a child. I didn’t want you to…”
She placed a hand over his. “Tate.” That singular word was so full of something that made his insides twist. Not pity, not exactly. He didn’t want her to feel bad for him. Or see him as someone who wasn’t worthy of her. And even though he fought it, that was exactly how he felt.
Tate flashed her a smile even though he didn’t feel it. “Like I said. I can handle it. I make more than enough to take the girl I like to a nice dinner.”
“You don’t have to worry about impressing me, Tate.”
He searched her face for any sign that she was lying. When he found nothing, his smile turned more genuine. “Doesn’t change the fact that I want to. So let me do this.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
Her smile was the one thing that put him at ease. “Okay.” One word. Two syllables. And they dove past that hurdle.
Rylee chose pasta with specialty noodles and a tender steak while Tate opted for a duck dish. They chatted about his family and the girls she’d met. It felt so… normal—like this was exactly where they were always meant to end up.
They opted to skip dessert and Tate wasted no time driving Rylee to the outskirts of town. Rylee peered out the front window, but she couldn’t see anything even with the headlights shining. “Where are we?”
“You’ll see.” Tate pushed open the door and climbed out.
Then he opened the back and pulled out several blankets he’d stashed back there.
Rylee climbed out as he walked to the back of the truck and lowered the tailgate.
She stood there curious while he laid out the blankets one by one.
Then a smile stole across her face as she lifted her eyes to the sky.
She gasped. The sound must have been louder than she expected because she covered her mouth with her hands and released a giggle. “Sorry,” she whispered.
Out here, noises seemed to echo. It was strange, and it made him feel smaller. He gestured toward the bed of the truck with a jerk of his chin. “Hop up.”
She glanced from the truck to him and grinned. “Why, Tate Dennison. Have you taken me stargazing?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I pinky promised, didn’t I?”
Rylee’s cough had gotten worse. Her face was pale and each time she tried to take a deep breath, another fit started.
Tate frowned as he glanced over to her from the doorway.
“I’m sorry, son. Rylee can’t come out tonight.”
“But we were going to look at the constellations. Mrs. Abbott said we’d be able to see the lion and the crab if we went outside tonight. It’s supposed to be really clear.” More coughing drew his attention and his frown deepened.
Rylee’s father placed a gentle hand on Tate’s shoulder. “Rylee needs her rest. You’re going to have to go out another time.”
She peered up over the side of the couch and offered Tate a wan smile. “It’s okay, Tate,” she rasped, her voice nearly gone. “We can do it later.”
Tate didn’t move. He’d really wanted to take Rylee out by his treehouse and show her the constellations he’d worked so hard to find. His disappointment ached, but he nodded his agreement. “Okay.”
“Pinky promise?” she asked, her little finger lifting.
He rose, a small smile touching his lips. “Pinky promise.”
“That’s right,” Rylee whispered. “I remember that now.”
Tate held out his hand and when she accepted, he tugged her toward him.
Then with little effort, he placed his hands at her waist and lifted her onto the tailgate.
She squeaked with surprise, and he moved between her legs to get close enough to kiss her gently.
Rylee leaned into the kiss and her moan was the sweetest sound.
He patted her knees when he withdrew from her. “All right, Ry-Ry. It’s time I show you Leo and Cancer.”
Rylee scooted back and he hopped into the bed beside her. When he settled at her side, he laced his fingers with hers. She moved her head closer to his, nearly against his shoulder. And he pointed up at the sky.
“Just there. That’s Leo. And there? That’s Cancer.”
She squeezed his hand and exhaled a contented sigh. “Do you know any more?”
They went on pointing out constellations and other clusters that caught her eye. Then the conversation shifted.
“Have you brought anyone else up here?” She didn’t have to say much more for him to get the gist of what she was asking.
He chuckled. “Just Jason.”
Rylee twisted and propped herself up on her elbow. “Really? Just Jason?”
He huffed. “What? You think that’s weird?”
It was her turn to laugh. “No.” Then after a moment she winced. “Okay, not really. But I would have thought that you would have brought…”
“Girls?” He arched a brow. “Nah.” The truth was, this place could be considered too intimate. And he’d never felt the desire to share his favorite spot with just anyone.
Not until Rylee.
“You really care about your family,” she murmured.
“Of course I do.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Like more than the typical person. It’s like…” She bit down on her lower lip in thought. “It’s like they’re your whole world. That’s…”
“Weird?” He repeated the word from before with a quirk of his lips.
She sighed. “No, not weird. It’s… admirable.
I can tell how much they mean to you. How much you do to take care of them.
Most people wouldn’t let their siblings live at home until they’re ready to move out and start a family of their own.
In this day and age, everyone is trying to push their family out like a bird pushes its hatchlings from the nest.”
He barked out a laugh. “I suppose that’s a good point. But I wouldn’t say it’s admirable.”
“Oh, it definitely is.” She traced a line along his chest with her finger. “I’d say out of everyone I know, you’re the kind of person who wouldn’t bat an eye at sacrificing your own happiness for the sake of your family.”
He thought about her words for a moment, the instinct to shrug them off sitting hard on him. But she’d made a good point. Jason had said something that felt similar, though not in so many words.
“You know what I think?” Her whispers were so low that he nearly didn’t hear her. “I think that when someone as decent and good as you has a chance at finding happiness, he should. I think that opportunities like that don’t come around very often.”
He twisted so he could look at her fully, wondering if she was referring to them and their connection in this moment. He didn’t dare ask her, though. That would be taking things too far, wouldn’t it?
Then she whispered, “Is there something in your life that fits that description, Tate?”
They stared at each other for one breath-stealing moment. Then Tate reached up and grazed her jaw with the crook of his knuckle. “This. Right here. Right now.”
Her quiet intake of breath said volumes. But she wasn’t withdrawing from him. No, instead she’d dipped her focus to his lips before it bounced back to his eyes. Then she kissed him.